WORRIED residents are demanding to know when promised police reinforcements will arrive.

Over recent months, Petts Wood has been hit by vandalism and crime committed by youths moved on from nearby areas.

Last week, resident Andy Houghton, 30, said the town was becoming a no-go area.

And he accused residents' association chairman Peter Varley of playing down the problem after he said the problem was worrying but not a danger.

But in a year when News Shopper has reported arson attacks, shops having widows broken and graffiti written on them, assaults on railway station platforms and residents being abused and intimidated, the community disagrees.

Mother-of-three Jill Brown, 48, said: "I don't feel safe which is a shame because it's such a lovely area.

"Why should my children be frightened to go out at night?"

And Perri Ahmet, 38, who owns a shoe menders in the town, says his window was smashed in the last spate of attacks on businesses.

He said: "I don't want to put a shutter up as it will be sprayed with graffiti."

Rita Dunbar, 72, goes to bingo in the British Legion in Queensway every Friday night.

Two weeks ago, she saw a group of 50 young people outside the nearby Morrisons store, trying to lift a car using a machine to shunt trolleys.

Mrs Dunbar said: "It's frightening walking down Queensway. I feel intimidated by the groups of young people and I could be staying in on Fridays if it gets much worse."

The grandmother-of-four added: "A few weeks ago, I saw three traffic wardens in the town's car park. I can't remember the last time I saw a policeman on the streets of Petts Wood."

She added: "I'd like to know when more police are to be brought in."

Her feelings are backed by most residents and traders in Petts Wood.

Inspector Nick Stratford, who heads policing in the south of the borough, agrees more police will help matters.

He has previously told News Shopper the town is a priority for a Safer Neighbourhood Team, made up of a sergeant, two police officers and four police community support officers (three is the number stated by the central Metropolitan Police office).

He says it will be early next year but cannot give an exact date.

But Mrs Dunbar said: "We need to see more police soon before Petts Wood becomes a ghetto."